San Diego News

Mother with Drugs Arrested at I-5 Checkpoint

San Clemente, California - Thursday morning, a Mexican national woman with a child inside her truck was arrested on Interstate 5 for smuggling methamphetamine.

The incident occurred at approximately 7 a.m. Agents became suspicious of a 41-year-old woman driving a 2007 Ford F-150 on I-5 and referred her for a secondary inspection. In secondary, a K-9 performed a sniff of the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 15 bundles of methamphetamine hidden behind a rear-seat backrest. When agents notified the driver of their discovery and attempted to arrest the woman, she resisted and placed her 9-year-old U.S. citizen daughter between her and the arresting agent. Nearby agents responded to help the agent quietly handcuff the woman and calm the child.

The bundles of meth weighed 24.14 pounds and are valued at $241,400.

The woman was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and agents contacted County of San Diego Child Welfare Services, who took custody of the child. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.